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Suffixes
Words often are used as roots and can be expanded in meaning by simply adding small groups of letters to the beginning and end of the word. Suffixes are just this - added to the end to enhance or change the meaning of a root word.
What Is a Suffix?
A suffix is a single letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word to create a new word with a different meaning or part of speech. They are the counterpart of a prefix, which is added to the beginning of a word.
How Are They Used?
There are some spelling rules when forming suffixes that you should be aware of when writing. Here are some of the most common:
| Ends In + suffix | Meanings | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -y + -ful | y changes to an i | beauty ➤ beautiful bounty ➤ bountiful |
| -y + -ness | y changes to an i | ready ➤ readiness happy ➤ happiness |
| -le + -ity | -le changes to il | reliable ➤ reliability able ➤ ability |
| -t + -ion | -t changes to -ss | remit ➤ remission permit ➤ permission |
What Are Some Examples?
| Suffix | Type | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| -able/-ible | adjective | able to be | capable, tangible |
| -al | adjective | relating to | theatrical, educational |
| -ence | adjective | state or condition, action | occurrence, absence |
| -ese | adjective | place name derivative | Chinese, Japanese |
| -ful | adjective | full of | meaningful, sorrowful |
| -ic | adjective | full of | caustic, tragic |
| -ish | adjective | relating to, characteristic | foolish, childish |
| -ive | adjective | Inclined to; quality of; that which | pensive, festive |
| -ian | adjective | relating to | utopian, reptilian |
| -less | adjective | without, not affected by | thoughtless, hopeless |
| -ly | adjective | In what manner | bravely, softly |
| -ous | adjective | Characterized by | odious, nauseous |
| -y | adjective | made up of, characterized | cheery, creepy |
| -ily | adverb | In what manner | happily, charmingly |
| -ward(s) | adverb | specifies direction | forward, westward |
| -wise | adverb | In what manner or direction | clockwise, otherwise |
| -age | noun | action or process | pilgrimage, voyage |
| -al | noun | relating to | marital, annual |
| -ance/-ence | noun | state or quality of | avoidance, permanence |
| -dom | noun | condition of, state, realm | kingdom, boredom |
| -ee | noun | receiver, performer | payee, employee |
| -er/-or | noun, more, action or process | a person who does an action | actor, payer |
| -hood | noun | state, condition, quality | childhood, motherhood |
| -ism | noun | state or quality | organism, racism |
| -ist | noun | a person, one who does an action | environmentalist, naturalist |
| -ity/-ty | noun | state, condition, or quality | vanity, royalty |
| -ment | noun | action, result | entertainment, arraignment |
| -ness | noun | state or quality | happiness, joyfulness |
| -scope | noun | visual exam | microscope, kaleidoscope |
| -ship | noun | state or condition, skill of | authorship, ownership |
| -sion/-tion/-xion | noun | state or quality | conversion, conversation, transfixion |
| -ate | Verb | makes the word a verb | complicate, medicate |
| -en | Verb | makes word a verb | lengthen, weaken |
| -ify | Verb | makes the word a verb | rectify, identify |
| -ise/ize | Verb | cause, treat, become | realize, sympathize |
